Preimplantation genetic diagnosis and therapy in humans- Opportunities and risks

Sammanfattning: IntroductionPreimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) was developed in the 1990s and has been used since to diagnose and discard embryos with genetic conditions or chromosomal abnormalities. CRISPR-Cas9 was discovered in 2012 and has been used in research, but has not become clinical practice on humans yet. CRISPR-Cas9 could potentially be applied to treat and prevent genetic disorders.AimThe aim was to investigate the ethical dilemmas of each method through a set of research questions. The ethics of applying PGD according to Swedish guidelines and applying CRISPR-Cas9 on humans was investigated.MethodologyThis was not a systematic literature review. Instead, articles have been selected based on their explanation of each method and uniqueness or volume of ethical arguments surrounding each method, that is of relevance for the discussed issues.ResultsArguments in favour of PGD addressed among other things the somatic and psychological health of future children and parents along with the economical benefits. Arguments against PGD addressed different dilemmas of discarding an embryo and thereby a future individual. Arguments against CRISPR-Cas9 addressed technical limitations, our limited knowledge of genetics and more. Arguments in favour addressed benefits in clinical medicine and research.ConclusionsPGD according to Swedish guidelines was found to be ethically acceptable, since its restrictive use that have not given room for ethically dubious applications. CRISPR-Cas9 was found not to be safe enough for human applications at this moment due to technical limitations. If these were to be solved, caution and restraint must be urged.